26 February 2023 – Lent 1A (19A)

THE GARDEN*
(Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7)
Placed in the garden
with a vocation to care
for all it contains.

There is a permit,
given to enjoy the fruits
of all the garden.

Yet mostly the focus
falls on a prohibition
and on its breaking.

Jointly vocation,
permission, prohibition
bear on human life.

As it was for them,
we rationalise our wrongs
and grapple with guilt.
    Jeff Shrowder, 2023
 
* I’m indebted to Walter Brueggemann (Interpretation: Genesis, 1982. p.46ff.)
 
 
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